Budesanide or pred

[warge]

Hi

I have a friend who is on pred for UC but I am on Budesanide for Crohns and just wondered why the different medication. We are in the UK and on this forum most people seem to be on pred. Any advice or comments would be much appreciated.

Warge

 

[Abby]

I was put on budeconide first, and prednisone second. Prednisone is more aggressive and has more side effects, but it works better and faster on more people.
Some doctors like the aggressive route, put someone in remission, then worry about maintenance.
I found that some doctors in canada are like this, and care less about patients. Knowing what I know about the american health care system, I will assume most doctors would feel fast is a better method.
Budeconide took longer to kick in and symtoms slowly went away, but my success with it was short lived. Prednisone stopped the pain practically the first day, but the symptoms and BMs kept up and eventually the side effects took too much of a toll on me.

 

[Abby]

Note: neither are long term answers.

 

[Vellanki]

Any one noticed any side effects on Budesanide. I feel weak and low on energy, anyone feel the same? Much better than Prednisonide side effects what with weight gain, moon face, etc.

 

[thisisme]

I'm not very knowledgeable on anything related to Crohn's to be honest... But after seeing my GI this week to discuss a treatment plan for myself (as I was just diagnosed), she did mention that Budesanide is very good, as it has less side effects then prednisone. She also mentioned that Budesanide does not treat the large colon as well, which is why she put me on Pred. (I have active Crohn's in small bowel TI and large colon). So I guess that could be one difference?
She did mention she does prefer Budesanide due to the smaller amount of side effects, however due to me having issues with the large colon, did not believe it would be as effective as pred!

So thats my non-educated two cents for what it's worth! Keep in mind, this was my first real appt to discuss my diagnosis, so there was A LOT of information floating around! My mind is bound to be fuzzy!

 

[Abby]

My disease was in my small intestine only at the time I was put on Budeconide! I completely forgot! The power of a group.

 

[thisisme]

hahaha, I'm glad I have at least some useful information! lol

 

[acheallova]

Being a pharmacist, i chose budesonide when speking with my D.O. for a couple of reason: it doesn't go systmic so much less bloating and weight gain and it's main area of metabolism and effectiveness is the intestine. I understand it does take longer to start working, but i was still undiagnosed at the time. I did experience an increase in my flare when i did the budesnde taper though so i had to go back up to highest dose for my maintenance. :kiss: -hugs-

 

[Ckt]

I have been on both medicines too. While I love budesonide as it has relatively very few side effects for me, prednisone worked so quickly and made me feel tons better. Right now it seems where I am I practically have to beg for prednisone now..take about a bitter pill to swallow!(pun intended!) because I am psycho on prednisone!moody,crying jags,can't sleep more than 3 hours if I'm lucky, just feel crazy in my head! I never would have thought I'd actually be asking for that drug!!just goes to show you how far misery can push a person!!:rof:

 

[warge]

Thank you for the information, that has cleared up a few things. My small intestine is 50cms scarred and inflammed near to the large colon so that it why he has put me on it and my friend is all at the bottom end.

I get so confused because some days I am good and then other days I have a flare and for 2 or 3 days when I am really bad.

 

[Ckt]

Trying to figure out what works and what doesn't is a chore isn't it??i wish budesonide worked for me as those nasty side effects from prednisone suck big time!but it just doesn't really work for me even though my disease is mostly in the terminal ileum or what's left of it!

 

[Abby]

Sometimes your symptoms will not be as bad, and you'll feel almost normal. Watch what you ate when you start to flare again. Sometimes diet and environment can make your symptoms worse (though they don't cause your disease). If you pay attention, you can stay away from the worst of it.

Crohns is so frustruating since there's no predicting it, there's no controlling it, and there's no understanding it. There are good days and bad days.
All we can do is our best, and know we aren't alone.